Cabinet construction



Jan. 20, 1959 R. M. LA RUE CABINET CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1 957 INVENTOR. Ray M La/Q/e UJUZMMDH HTTOR/VE/ oo o o o o 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. M. LA RUE CABINET CONSTRUCTION Jan. 20, 1959 Filed Feb. 18, 1957 E IE- /9 25 24 O ewe a IE I E I INVENTOR.

. E 7 Pay M 10PM? Unite States Patent 2,359,955 AB N NS R CTEON Ray M. LaiRue, Fairbanks, Alaska Applicafivn February ,53 25 Smil NO- 64 06 scams. (or 311 -1297 The present invention relates to cabinets and lilte storage receptacles and mor'eipa'" "ularlvto cabinets-of the class 'character'ized by Shannan-s. i "Certain disadvantages-"are present in the hinged door structures customarily used for closures'rn iidniiecf n with cabinets and related stora g e 'mea Notably, the doors must be swung outward to provide access to" the' cabinet. This" is Waste'ful'of space'in those instanceswhere the cabinet is situated in cramped quarters andis definitely'a safety hazard as any housewife who has worked in the vicinity 'of such cabinets will amply testify. 'These undesirable aspects o'fhinged doors have resulted in the widespread" 'use' of sliding ddo'rs. lt 'has been found however that such doors'are'inturn subject to certain drawbacks; In theme-re usual arrangement, only one half o'f the face of the iiabine't' can'be' opened at onetime. Flexible sliding doorswhich'avoid this'drawback have beeni'nadebut, incoinmo'ri'with all prior types of sliding door, exhibit a pronounced tendencyto jam or wedge in their tracks and can" bnly'be" opened or closed by" careful and "slo'w manipulation. Attempts to mitigate this problem have previously taken the form of providing various rolling anti-friction devices to support the door along its route of travel." I-Ieretofore, however, such anti-friction devices have'been""caused to bear primarily against" the flat surfaces of the door whereas the prime cause of jamming is friction along the lateral edges thereof.' The present invention therefore includes means providing a novel rolling anti-friction support against the lateral edges of the doors, suchsupport extending within the cabinet to provide a structure whereby the door may travel into the cabinet and uncover substantially the entire face thereof. i

The invention'incorporates the above described ease of operation and freedom from dangerous projecting doors in a construction in which the changing of external ap p'earance and the repairing of m'arsis readily accomplished. The invention thus constitutes a'more flexible and more permanent unit'in comparison with prior cabinet structures, and will be found particularly valuable in uses where pleasing appearance is required; The cabinet is substantially dust-proof, moisture proof, and insect-proof, and completely eliminates all the handicap associated with prior cabinet structures.

Specifically, the present invention comprises a cabinet having a box structure with suitable internal shelvingto provide the desired storage facility. The face of the cabinet is provided with one or more extensive rectangular access openings, the number of such openings being dependent upon the numberof separately openable corn partments the cabinet is to provide. Each such access opening is closed by a flat flexible sliding door which travels along grooves in two opposed parallel sides of the opening. To form the grooves, an inner slat is disposed along each of the parallel sides of the opening and a decorative outer slat is disengageably attached against the inner slat, the requisite grooves being cut along the edges of the slat assembly. To render the cabinet dust-proof,

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insect-proof, and moisture proof, a lining of yieldable material such as" felt'is disposed in the grooves. The access doors are sufiiciently long that, in the fully closed position, the top ends extend rearward across, the top interior of the'cabinet and curve a slight distance down ward immediately forward from the rear wall of the cabi net, thetop end of the door preferably being curved along an elliptical arc to'mi'nimize the vertical spread of the door structure. T 0 guide the door within the cabinet with a minimum of friction and with lateral support to eliminate any tendency for the door to jam or wedge, a plurality of circuinferentially grooved wheels are mounted with the cabi et along the arcs described by the edges of the door, the wheels be'in'galigned 'coplanar with the adjacent door te i n The ds tthe doo b tangentially nst the'g'roovesin the wheels which therebypr'ovide a' shb: stantially frictionless track for thedo'or' in an arrange merit'with'which jamming of the door is eliminated. To Z g een thefdoor and the contents of p p I It, a fals'erearwall is disposed" forwardlyfromf major reanwa'll of the cabinef'tofo'rin a slot into which the door enters as it' is opened. This structure is applicable to a wide variety of cabinet configurations and to'related storagefacilities. Th'e'c'on' st'ru ctioh eli hates the operational handicaps of p'rior cab nets as pointed out above and'is completely hazard free. Asam'os't important feature,'the' double slated-ii structioii'of the doorgu'idir g grooves markedly simplifies the repairing of mars an'dp'e'rmits ready ch'anges'ofeolor scheme inasmuclijas the decorative outer slat is easily Itfis thus the object of the present invention to provide anew'ca'binetconstruction combining all the above discussed'operationaladvantagesin an attractive trouble free unit.

It an object of this invention to provide a cabinet having sliding doors which cannot jam or wedge, which doors can be opened to uncover substantially the entire face' of the cabinet.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a cabinet construction characterized by superior appearanoe and having novel provision for the changing of colors and decor and for ease in performing repairs.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cabinet which is substanttially dust-proof, inscct-proofi and moisture proof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an easily opened cabinet of compact form providing maidr'nurn usable storage space and being free o'f'hazardous' projections such asswingin'g doors.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be'understood by reference to the fol" lowing specificati'on'talen in conjunction with the accom panying drawing, in which: v

"Figure l is a front elevation view of a typical embodimerit of the invention with one access door thereof shown partially opened; V i "Figure '2' is "a sectional elevation view of the cabinet taken along line 2 20f Figure 1; F'lgur'e' 3 is an inverted plan sectional View of the cabinet tak'enalong line 3- 3 of Figure land showing the top interior construction thereof;

Figure 4 is afragmenta'ry cross-sectional view of the door guiding tracks showing a modified form of lining therein; 4 1

'Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 5f5 of Figure 2 and further 'showing'the' novel door guiding mechanism, and T Figure 6 is asectio'nal view, corresponding to the top right portiori'of Figure 3, showing a modification er the structure thereof for use where the access doors are relatively wide with respect to those shown in the previous figures.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3, thereof, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of the invention. It will be appreciated that the invention may take a variety of forms with respect to geometrical proportions, number of access doors, exterior trim, and materials employed. As here shown, a cabinet having two major compartments and two access doors is used. This embodiment comprises a box structure having a bottom member 11, sidewalls 12, a back wall 13, and a top member 14. An upright center wall 16, disposed parallel to the sidewalls 12, divides the cabinet into two equal sections. A narrow base slat 17 is secured across the front face of the cabinet at the lower edge thereof. Similarly a top slat 13 is secured across the face of the cabinet at the top edge thereof, the top slat being substantially broader than base slat 17 to accommodate the door guiding mechanism to be hereinafter described.

Considering now the novel door guiding structure, a vertical track assembly 19 is secured along one lateral margin of the forward face of the cabinet, the edge of the track assembly being flush with the outer surface of side wall 12. A second matching track assembly 19 is similarly secured along the opposite margin of the forward face of the cabinet against the forward edge of the second side wall 12. As may be seen by reference to Figure 3 in particular, each such track assembly 19 comprises an inner slat 21 secured to the cabinet proper and an outer slat 22 attached to the inner slat by a disengageable means such as screw fasteners 23.

An important consequent of such structure is that the outer slats 22, which are exposed to view, may be readily replaced when marred or otherwise defaced or when a change of color scheme is desired, such replacement being simply accomplished by removal of fasteners 23. To enhance the esthetic potentialities of this readily changeable structure it may be found desirable to form the outer slats 22 of an attractive material such as colored plastic. It should be noted that this provision for ease in replacement of the exterior trim lengthens the life of the cabinet since marred or defaced slats are readily replaced.

The juxtaposed edges of inner and outer slats 21 and 22 are rabbeted on the sides which face towards the open center. of the cabinet each pair of adjoining rabbets 24 thus forming longitudinal grooves 26 along the sides of the track assembly 19. Since two separate doors are to be provided to close the two sections of the cabinet, a center track assembly 27 is secured against the forward edge of center wall 16. Center track assembly 27 comprises an inner slat 28 centered on the center wall 16 and having substantially twice the width of the side inner slats 21. An outer slat 29, formed of material similar to that of outer slats 22 and having twice the width thereof, is secured against the forward face of inner slat 28 by means of screw fasteners 30. The juxtaposed edges of inner slat 28 and outer slat 29 are rabbeted to form longitudinal grooves 31 along the two lateral edges of the center track assembly 27.

Flat flexible sliding doors are mounted to close the two sections of the cabinet, the first such door having lateral edges 33 extending into grooves 26 and 31 of track assemblies 19 and 27 respectively, and the second such door 32 having lateral edges 34 extending into grooves 26 and 31 of track assemblies 19 and 27. Such doors 32 may be formed of sheet metal or bendable plastic or other suitably flexible material. The doors 32 are of suflicient length to clos the face of the cabinet and to simultaneous 1y extend across the top interior of the cabinet to rear wall 13.

As an important feature of the invention, the grooves 26 and 31, in which the edges of doors 32 slide, are provided with a lining 36 of yieldable material, felt being suitable for this purpose. Such lining results in the cabinet being substantially dust-proof, insect-proof, and moisture proof, thereby contributing markedly to the utility of the cabinet as a storage means for such articles as perishable or comestible goods. It will be appreciated that the lining 36 may take a variety of forms. Referring now to Figure 4, for example, there is shown a lining comprising piles of fabric glued to a metal beading of U-shaped cross-section, which beading is clamped Within the groove 26 at the time of assembly of slats 21 and 22.

Referring now again to Figures 1, 2, and 3, to seal the juncture between the bottom edge of doors 32 and the base of the cabinet, a cross member 37 is secured transversely within the cabinet against the rear surface of the base slat 17. The upper forward edge of each such cross member 37 is rabbeted to form a groove 38 into which the lower edges of doors 32 enter as the doors are closed. Groove 38 is provided with lining 39 of yieldable material to preserve the dust tight integrity of the cabinet;

Considering now the means by which the doors 32 are guided across the top interior of the cabinet along an elliptical arc and down against the rear wall thereof as the doors are slid open, there are shown four matching guideways 41 mounted one against each inside surface of side walls 12 and one against each surface of center wall 16. Each such guideway 41 comprises two spaced parallel curved supports, upper support 42 and lower support 45, of angled cross section. One angle arm of each support 42 and 45 is secured against the adjacent wall of the cabinet by means of screw fasteners 43, the guideways 41 being positioned immediately beneath top member 14 of the cabinet and being curved to define a continuation of the door guiding grooves 26 and 31, the supports further being curved downwardly at the rear to guide the doors down against the front surface of rear wall 13. The supports 42 and 45 are preferably curved elliptically to minimize the vertical spread of the door guiding means and thus to maximize the storage space within the cabinet.

A plurality of wheels 44 are mounted between the two supports 42 and 45, the wheels being spaced at intervals along the lengths thereof. As best shown in Figure 5, such wheels 44 are mounted upon axles 46 which axles extend between the two supports 42 and 45. Each such wheel is provided with a circumferential groove 47 through which the edge of door 32 passes. As may be seen, the above described structure provides a means by which the doors 32 are guided across the top of the cabinet and down the back thereof with a minimum of friction and with no tendency to wedge or jam.

Referring now again to Figures 1, 2, and 3, interference between the sliding doors and the contents of the cabinet is avoided by a false back wall 48 disposed within the cabinet a small distance forward from rear wall 13. Thus a slot 49 is formed into which the doors 32 slide as the doors are opend. Additional yielding support for the doors 32 is provided by four cross braces 51 extending between the side walls 12 and the center wall 16 immediately below the extremities of the lower guideway support 45. Each such cross brace 51 mounts a felt strip 52 which strip bears against the adjacent door. Such felt strips 52, in addition to providing support for the doors, wipe dust from the doors as they are operated. Further elements of the cabinets are handles 53 secured to the lower forward face of the doors 32 to facilitate operation thereof, and one or more shelves 54 secured within the cabinet to maximize storage capacity.

As has been previously pointed out, the invention is not limited to a cabinet of the particular form described herein but may be adapted to a variety of configurations. The doors, for example, may be made to slide horizontally around the side of the cabinet rather than across the top as described herein, the requisite mechanism being essentially similar.

Where it is desired to utilize doors considerably wider than those of the embodiment previously described a modified structure, shown in Figure 6 is provided. With such wide doors a tendency for the doors to jam or wedge may become noticeable in spite of the wheeled door guiding mechanism. It will be understood that, except as will now be described, the structure of this modified cabinet is substantially similar to the previously described embodiment and therefore only a portion of the modified cabinet is depicted in the figure. Such modification comprises'the replacement of each door supporting cross brace (elements 51 in Figures 2 and 3) with an axle rod 56 which rod turns in bearings 57 secured to the sidewalls 12 and center wall 16. Coaxially mounted upon the rods 56 are two sprocket wheels 58 at longitudinal positions corresponding to the margins of the door 32. Teeth 59 projecting from the rim of sprocket wheels 58 engage perforations 61 spaced along the two margins of the door. Since the two edges of the door are thus constrained to move at the same rate by the sprocket structure, the door cannot wedge or jam. As may be seen, the perforations 61 in the edges of the door 32 are concealed within the grooves 26 and 31 of the track assemblies 19 and 27 and thus the dust tight feature of the cabinet is maintained. To support the center portion of the door 32, a wheel 62 is coaxially secured to the axle rod 56 at a central position thereon and bears against the rear surface of the door 32.

While the salient features of this invention have been described in detail with respect to certain embodiments thereof, it will of course be apparent that certain modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention, and it is not desired therefore to limit the invention to the exact details shown except insofar as they may be defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cabinet, the combination comprising a rectangular box structure having a bottom platform and side walls and a top wall and a rear wall and a forward face provided with a rectangular opening, two longitudinally grooved guides one secured along each lateral margin of said opening, a lining of resilient material disposed within the grooves of each said guide, a flexible sliding door for said opening, said door having opposite margins entered into said longitudinally grooved guides, and a plurality of rotatable wheels mounted within said box structure in two curvilinear columns which columns define elliptical curves tangent to the upper extremities of said guides and to said rear wall, said wheels having circumferential grooves whereby each said column of Wheels forms a. continuation of one of said guides to direct said flexible sliding door across the top of the interior of said box structure and down adjacent the rear wall thereof as said door is slid upward along said grooves to uncover said opening.

2. A cabinet comprising, in combination, a box structure having two side walls and a rear wall and top and bottom members, said box structure having an open forward face, a first pair of door guiding slats one secured to each of said side walls of said box structure against the forward edge of said side walls and along the lateral margins of said open forward face of said box structure, said slats being rabbeted along the edges adjacent the opening in said box structure, a second pair of door guiding slats attached to the lateral margins of said open forward face of said box structure against the forward surfaces of said first pair of slats, said second pair of slats being attached to said first pair of slats by disengageable means, a flat flexible door having lateral margins extending into said rabbeted edges of said first pair of slats, said door being slidable along said slats, and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted within said box structure along two elliptical arcs which arcs are tangent to the upper end of said slats and to the upper end of said rear wall, said wheels having circumferential grooves forming a curvilinear continuation of said rabbets in said slats whereby said door is guided across the top interior of said box structure and down in front of said rear wall thereof.

3. In a cabinet, the combination comprising a box structure having an opening in the forward face, a pair of door guiding tracks disposed in parallel relationship along opposed lateral margins of said opening, each said track being comprised of two slats secured one against the other by disengageable means, each said track having a longitudinal groove along the edge facing said opening, a resilient lining disposed in said grooves, a flat flexible door having lateral margins engaged in said grooves and being slidable therealong, and a plurality of circumferentially grooved wheels rotatably mounted within said box structure along two elliptical arcs which arcs are tangent to the upper ends of said door guiding tracks and which extend across the top interior of said box structure, said Wheels serving to form a continuation of the grooves in said door guiding tracks whereby said door is guided within said box structure as said door is slid to uncover said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 651,554 Norcross June 12, 1900 1,064,216 Hick June 10, 1913 1,159,859 Murphy Nov. 9, 1915 1,469,542 Storms Oct. 2, 1923 1,655,337 Pritchard Jan. 3, 1928 1,824,897 Johnson Sept. 29, 1931 1,864,796 Brady June 28, 1932 2,330,670 Black Sept. 28, 1943 2,767,787 Miller Oct. 23, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,054,689 France Oct. 7, 1953 

